Following their recent annual meeting, the Friends have sent a letter to Jane Hutt, Secretary of State for Health at the National Assembly, urging that any future health provision for the Tenby area includes a complete new-build hospital sited within a three-mile radius of Tenby.
This facility, the Friends stress, must include 10 to 15 beds, outpatient clinics and a minor injuries unit.
The letter, from Mrs. Pat Wright, chairman of the League of Friends, notes that the Outline Business Plan is now at the Assembly and awaiting a decision by Miss Hutt on the future of the hospital.
"Now that the money has been made available for the reprovision of health services in south-east Pembrokeshire, may I request that the overwhelming opinion of the people in this area be taken into consideration when final decisions are made," Mrs. Wright wrote.
Clr. Mrs. Caroline Thomas told Tuesday's meeting of Tenby Town Council that Conservative leader at the Assembly, Nick Bourne, had received a letter from Miss Hutt on the issue, but, while the idea was for a new-build single site for the reprovision of health services, there appeared to be no mention of in-patient beds.
"I am in agreement with the Friends that our fervent desire is please can the new facility include beds," stressed Clr. Mrs. Thomas.
She asked if the town council could write 'a polite letter' to Miss Hutt supporting the views of the League of Friends and called for other local community councils to also add their support.
Clr. Mrs. Sue Lane agreed and asked if the town council could write to all the local community councils asking for support.
While the Mayor, Clr. Mrs. Christine Brown, agreed with the letter being sent to Miss Hutt, she felt it should be in stronger terms.
"We've been piddling about long enough over what will happen to our hospital and its facilities," she said.
Clr. Mrs. Maureen Ward agreed that the town council shouldn't "pussyfoot around anymore," while Clr. Mrs. Lane felt that Miss Hutt should be informed "how we really feel."
Clr. Mickey Folland said that £8 million had been allocated for this area, with £3 million going to Pembroke Dock.
"This leaves a balance of £5 million, some £2.9 million of which has been allocated for a new-build," he said, adding that the site suggested at present was near Tenby Surgery.
"We have all party support at the National Assembly, and the support of our MP for a new-build facility with beds," he said.
"We need an early decision on this, the money is already available, and we have been waiting long enough."
Clr. Folland supported the call for the decision for the new facility to be within a three-mile radius of Tenby.
"There were suggestions that it would be at Kilgetty, which concerned me," he said. "That is closer to the main hospital at Haverfordwest and quite frankly you could drive from Kilgetty to Haverfordwest in reverse quicker than you could drive from Tenby to Kilgetty in the height of the summer.
"We should be fully behind Mrs. Wright and the Friends for continuing the fight.
"I don't think we need to be nasty in our letter to Miss Hutt, but she does need to be reminded of the strength of local feeling," he added.